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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013/03/26 Item 02CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT ~~~ CITY OF CHULA VISTA MARCH 26, 2013 Item 2 ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE F STREET PROMENADE STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF A COMPLETE STREETS DESIGN PLAN FOR BROADWAY FROM L STREET TO MAIN STREET AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SUBMITTED BY: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEy'~LOPMENT SERVICES ASSISTANT CITY MANAGE~~`'K~EVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR REVIEWED BY: CITY MANAGER ASSISTANT/DEPUTY CITY MANAGER 4/STHS VOTE: YES ~ NO 2-1 March 26, 2013 Item 2 Page 2 of 5 SUMMARY The California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) has made a total of $9.9 million of State and Federal funding available in Transportation Planning Grant Funds. Planning grants under various categories aze available including Community-Based Transportation Planning, Environmental Justice, and Urban Transit Planning Studies. The fast two grant categories, the Community-Based Transportation Planning and Environmental Justice, require submittal of a resolution from the local agency authorizing staff to accept grant funds and execute a Fund Transfer Agreement. City Council has directed staff to look for alternative funding sources to help plan and deliver City Services. To that end, the City of Chula Vista proposes to submit the following planning grant applications: 1) Prepazation of the F Street Promenade Streetscape Master Plan; and 2) Prepazation of the Broadway Complete Streets Design Plan (L Street to Main Street). These master planning efforts along F Street in the City's urban core and Broadway, a major commercial comdor, will implement "Complete Streets" that will provide well-balanced, connected, safe, and convenient multi-modal transportation networks designed to serve all users of streets, regazdless of their age or ability, or whether they aze driving, walking, bicycling, or taking transit. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activities authorizing the filing of the grant applications soliciting funds specifically for the prepazation of the F Street Promenade Streetscape Master Plan and Broadway Complete Streets Design Plan for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Development Services Director has determined that the activities are not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because the proposed actions consist of a governmental fiscal activity which, on its own, would not result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. However, when the actual project(s) for which the grant moriies aze earmarked aze adequately defined and ready to be carried out, the appropriate environmental review and documentation will be required. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. RECOMMENDATION That City Council approve the resolutions authorizing the grant applications. BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Not applicable. DISCUSSION The State Transportation Planning goals provide the framework for the Community-Based and Environmental Justice planning grants. In general, the State Transportation Planning Goals strive to: • Improve Mobility and Accessibility -Enhance modal choices and connectivity to meet transportation demands; 2-2 March 26, 2013 Item 2 Page 3 of 5 • Preserve the Transportation System -Maintain and efficiently use the existing transportation system; • Support the Economy -Enhance the movement of goods and people to spur economic development and growth, job creation and trade; • Enhance Public Safety -Ensure safety of people, goods, services and information in all modes of transportation; • Reflect Community Values -Integrate community values into transportation solutions; • Enhance the Environment -Provide transportation services while protecting environmental, historical and cultural assets. The following is a brief description of the grant proposals which aze aligned with the State goals described above. F Street Promenade Streetscape Master Plan The F Street Promenade Streetscape Master Plan is proposed under the "Community-Based Transportation Planning" grant category. According to the grant application guide, the purpose of this grant category is to "fund coordinated transportation and land use planning that promotes public engagement, livable communities, and a sustainable transportation system which includes mobility, access and safety." The project proposes to develop a Streetscape Master Plan for an approximately one.mile long segment of F Street between Third Avenue and Bay Boulevazd. The project will create a plan for a "Promenade" that will link the City's downtown Village District and Civic Center with the City's Bayfront. The Streetscape Plan would be a "complete street" with a full range of convenient and safe access linkages, by car; transit; bicycle; or on foot. The need for a Streetscape Master Plan along this segment of F Street is identified in both the City's General Plan and further described as an implementation project in the Urban Core Specific Plan. The Streetscape Master Plan would emphasize this one mile link as an attractive, safe and convenient route for residents and visitors alike. The vision for the Streetscape Master Plan is a multi-modal promenade that links Third Avenue; the Civic Center; Broadway; the E Street transit center; and the Bayfront Planning Area with themed landscaping and other Streetscape elements. The freeway crossing of Interstate 5 and the adjacent parallel railroad spur/overcrossing will be evaluated to accommodate additional pedestrian use and create enhanced and inviting entryways into the Bayfront. Existing trees from Third Avenue to Broadway would be preserved and incorporated into the Streetscape theme. The exact location and configuration of walkways, bikeways, transit and parkway amenities will be detailed by the Streetscape Master Plan which will be developed with broad public input to ensure the plan reflects the community's values. The grant application, if successful, would provide funding for the conceptual Streetscape Master Plan and preliminary construction drawings that would then be used in the future to prepare detai]ed engineering plans to implement the capital improvement. The maximum grant award is $300,000 and requires a minimum local match of 10%. 2-3 Mazch 26, 2013 Item Page 4 of 5 Broadwav Complete Streets Design Plan - L Street to Main Street The Broadway Complete Streets Design Plan is proposed under the Environmental Justice category. According to the grant application guide, the purpose of this grant category is to "promote community involvement in planning to improve mobility, access and safety while promoting economic opportunity, equity, environmental protection, and affordable housing for low-income, minority and Native American communities." This planning effort would utilize a strong community outreach effort for development of a Complete Streets Design Plan to increase multi-modal access on Broadway from L to Main Streets. The plan would be developed by staff working with a selected consultant to facilitate community dialogue surrounding mobility objectives and promoting community identity and quality of life. This process is envisioned to be a stakeholder collaboration that will build consensus through active public engagement. An issue previously identified by the "Seniors, Sidewalks and the Centennial Report" is that bikes should be accommodated on the roadway, not the sidewalk, however, the existing pazking along Broadway south of "L" Street is problematic for the installation of bike lanes without adjustments to the median. This effort will work with the business to understand their parking needs and strike a balance for all the various demands on the use of the public right of way. The grant application, if successful, would provide funding for the Complete Streets Design Plan that would then be used to implement future capital improvements along this corridor. The grant request is anticipated to be less than $50,000 and will require a minimum local match of 10%. DECISION MAKER CONFLICT F Street Promenade Streetscape Master Plan and Broadwav Complete Streets Design Plan Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council ahd has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the properties which aze the subject of this action. Staff is not independently aware, nor has staff been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter. CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT F Street Promenade Streetscape Master Plan The grant request would cover staff costs in preparing the Streetscape Master Plan. However, if the City is awarded the Transportation Planning Grant, there is a minimum local match of 10%. Therefore, a maximum local match of up to $30,000 would be obligated if the cost of the project meets the maximum grant award of $300,000. Staff will present budgetary options to Council should the grant be awazded to the City. Broadwav Complete Streets Design Plan If the City is awarded the Transportation Planning Grant, there is a minimum local match of IO%. The grant request for this project is anticipated to be less than $50,000 therefore a maximum local match of up to $5,000 would be required. As the City staff that would be 2-4 March 26, 2013 Item 2. Page 5 of 5 involved in this project is currently funded through various non-General Fund sources, the impact to the General Fund would be limited to the local match. Staff will present budgetary options to Council should the grant be awazded to the City. ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT F Street Promenade Streetscape Master Plan and Broadway Complete Streets Design Plan The projects are a request for funding of a planning effort. There aze no capital improvements proposed at this time that would require on-going maintenance and thus no fiscal impacts would occur. Prepared by: Mary Ladiana, Development Planning Manager 2-5 RESOLUTION NO.2013- RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE F STREET PROMENADE STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista is eligible to receive Federal and/or State funding for certain transportation planning related plans, through the California Department of Transportation; and WHEREAS, a Fund Transfer Agreement is required to be executed with the California Department of Transportation before such funds can be claimed through the Transportation Planning Grant Programs; and WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista City Council wishes to delegate authorization to execute the subject agreement and any amendments thereto. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Fund Transfer Agreement and any amendments thereto with the California Department of Transportation for the F Street Promenade Streetscape Master Plan. Presented by Approved as to Form Gary Halbert, P.E., AICP /,~1G~n-R.Sseeg Assistant City Manager/ ~" City Attorney Development Services Director 2-6 RESOLUTION NO.2013- RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE BROADWAY COMPLETE STREETS DESIGN PLAN FROM L STREET TO MAIN STREET AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista is eligible to receive Federal and/or State funding for certain transportation planning related plans, through the California Department of Transportation; and WHEREAS, a Fund Transfer Agreement is required to be executed with the California Department of Transportation before such funds can be claimed through the Transportation Planning Grant Programs; and WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista City Council wishes to delegate authorization to execute the subject agreement and any amendments thereto. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Fund Transfer Agreement and any amendments thereto with the California Department of Transportation for the Broadway Complete Streets Design Plan. Presented by Approved as to Form by Gary Halbert, P.E., AICP Assistant City Manager Development Services Director /ZGIe oogln '"~ City Attorney 2-7